book a tour buffalo trace

The Trace Tour

The Trace Tour is an incredible introduction to the history and science of bourbon at Buffalo Trace Distillery. You will walk amidst the path of rolling bourbon barrels. You will be captivated by the alluring smell and atmosphere of bourbon sleeping inside the aging warehouses. Our engaging tour guides can teach guests of all levels and will bring the story of Buffalo Trace to life.

The Trace Tour is open to all ages and is ADA accessible.

All tours are complimentary and include a tasting of some of our award-winning products.

Reservations are required.

Tour Details

Tour sizes are limited. Check availability of all tours by time and date. 

The Trace Tour leaves at least hourly or more frequently as needed. 

Due to limited quantities of our whiskeys, we only offer a few brands for tasting and purchasing in our Visitor Center.   Learn More

Tour & Tasting

113 Great Buffalo Trace, 

Frankfort, KY 40601

Buffalo Trace Distillery Tours & Tastings

Distillery hours.

Monday - Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 11:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m.

Buffalo Trace Distillery is closed Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.  

Gift Shop Hours

Monday - Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 11:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m.

Photography Guidelines

Click here to view information on our Photography Guidelines

Driving Directions

Other tours you might like.

Old Taylor Tour

Botanical Gardens Tour

Taste of the Trace

Hard Hat Tour

National Historic Landmark Tour

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Buffalo Trace Distillery

America’s oldest continually-operating distillery is Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Ky. After remaining open for “medicinal purposes” throughout Prohibition, this historic site boasts four centuries of architecture on 440 acres.

The Distillery Tour

Home to a long list of popular bourbons and whiskeys (including E.H. Taylor, Pappy Van Winkle, W.L. Weller, Rock Hill Farms, Elmer T. Lee and George T. Stagg), the Buffalo Trace Distillery tour offers a look into their bourbon-making process, a walk through a rickhouse and a pass along the bottling line where each bottle of Blanton’s bourbon is hand-labeled and corked.

Mint Julep Experiences offers tours to Buffalo Trace every week.

The Bourbon Tastings

A tasting may include Buffalo Trace bourbon, Eagle Rare bourbon, Buffalo Trace White Dog Mash #1, Wheatley Vodka or Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream. Unfortunately, you will not be able to taste or purchase Pappy Van Winkle bourbons on your Buffalo Trace tour — sorry!

BOOK A MINT JULEP TOUR HERE

Photo by Buffalo Trace

Things to know about Buffalo Trace

Frequently asked questions.

Where is Buffalo Trace bourbon made?

Buffalo Trace bourbon is made at 113 Great Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, Ky.

Who owns Buffalo Trace?

The Sazerac Company owns the Buffalo Trace brand.

What bourbons and whiskeys does Buffalo Trace produce?

Brands produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery include Buffalo Trace, Sazerac Rye, George T. Stagg, Eagle Rare, William Larue Weller, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye, Elmer T. Lee, Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. Collection, Old Rip Van Winkle, Van Winkle, Pappy Van Winkle, Rock Hill Farms, Hancock’s Reserve, W.L. Weller, Ancient Age, McAffee’s Benchmark Old No. 8, Old Charter, Stagg Jr., Blanton’s, Wheatley Vodka, Hiram Walker’s Ten High, and Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream. Not all brands are available for purchase and/or tasting on site.

Is Buffalo Trace on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?

No, Buffalo Trace Distillery is not a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®.

Which distilleries are near Buffalo Trace?

Nearby distilleries east of Louisville in the Frankfort area include Woodford Reserve , Wild Turkey , Castle & Key and Three Boys Farm Distillery .

Where can I find out more about Buffalo Trace?

Learn about Buffalo Trace at buffalotracedistillery.com .

Start Planning Your Kentucky Bourbon Distillery Tour

Let’s start planning your ultimate Kentucky bourbon distillery tour today! We offer a variety of public tours as well as custom-made experiences that are tailored to your every bourbon desire.

CONTACT AN EXPERIENCE COORDINATOR

Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour: What To Know Before You Go

By: Author Melody Pittman

Posted on May 16, 2023

Buffalo Trace Distillery – a must-visit Kentucky bourbon destination! This top-notch facility, voted “2018 Distiller of the Year”, is over 200 years old and found in Frankfort. Even if you’re not a bourbon lover, you’ll find enjoyment in your visit. The property itself covers 440 acres, and tours and tastings are free. Don’t miss out!

How to Get to the Buffalo Trace Distillery

Come visit Buffalo Trace Distillery, just 28 miles away from Lexington , Kentucky, or 55 miles from Louisville . Buffalo Trace is a National Historic Landmark that’s sure to impress.

Distillery Hours and Tour Prices

The wide variety of tours at Buffalo Trace Distillery run Monday through Friday and include a complimentary tasting. Note that reservations are required and tours are not available on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Discover the rich history and delicious bourbon of Buffalo Trace with a variety of tours! The Trace Tour is the most popular option that offers a glimpse into the brand’s past and an introduction to the iconic property . Available daily, no reservations required!

Learn about our pre-prohibition distilling history on the National Historic Landmark Tour, which focuses on the architecture and Buffalo Trace property, mostly from 1933 to 1953.

Get spooked on the Ghost Tour with legendary stories of haunted areas like Stony Point Mansion and The Old Taylor House. This one is only available Thursday through Saturday evenings.

For bourbon enthusiasts, the Bourbon Barrel Tour is the perfect pick. Discover the bourbon aging process, barrels, and what happens to them when they can no longer store the beloved bourbon.

Fun Fact : Buffalo Trace is America’s oldest continually-operating distillery.

The Whiskey Making Process

Come explore the secrets of the 90-proof (45% alcohol by volume) whiskey at EH Taylor Tour and Buffalo Trace’s Hard Hat Tour! Get an exclusive look at the distilling process, from grain to bottle.

Experience the unique “Bourbon Pompeii” on the E. H. Taylor Tour and learn about the man himself, while the Hard Hat Tour takes you on a journey from the grain distillery process to bottling. The tours offer sensory delights that will make any whiskey lover swoon.

Don’t miss your chance to discover how your favorite drink is made – tours run on Saturdays too!

The Tasting and Buffalo Trace Distillery Brands

Meet Mr. Freddie Johnson – the third-generation Buffalo Trace Distillery employee, local celebrity (Neat: The Story of Bourbon), and 2018 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee. As a VIP Visitor Lead at the distillery, Freddie is the ultimate tasting guide, making sipping and sampling an unforgettable experience.

During my visit, Freddie showcased his expertise with a selection of premium products – Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Rare Eagle Bourbon Whiskey, Wheatley Vodka, Bourbon Cream (think a beefed-up Bailey’s Irish Cream), and Freddie’s Root Beer. He even explained how to properly sip and get your mouth warmed up for the bourbon tasting.

Trust me when I say that pairing Bourbon Cream with soda is the ultimate dessert-like experience! I couldn’t resist taking both products home to enjoy later. And, of course, we couldn’t leave without indulging in a Rebecca Ruth Bourbon Ball made with Buffalo Trace.

Thanks to Freddie’s charming personality and passion for all things bourbon, my visit to Buffalo Trace Distillery was an incredible highlight and a must-do for any spirit enthusiast.

Buffalo Trace brands include O.F.C. Vintages, Van Winkle, Bourbon Cream, Benchmark, Wheatley Vodka, Ancient Age, and many more. One of the most coveted photography spots at Buffalo Trace Distillery is inside, with the hundreds of aging barrels as the backdrop.

Masks were required during my visit, but I will cherish the photo opportunity and remember learning about an essential part of Kentucky’s history.

Bonus Features at The Trace

Don’t forget to check out the Whiskey Vault, where rare and oldest bottles are displayed. As your tour guide explains the collection’s significance, appreciate the vast history within this tiny space. Cap off your visit at the George T. Staff Gift Shop and Gallery, where you will find signature logo apparel, collector’s items, bourbons, Wheatley Vodka, and more.

If you can’t make it in person, you can do a virtual tour at buffalotracedistillery.com/virtualtour .

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Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour Frankfort, Kentucky

Buffalo trace distillery tour: a signature experience in bourbon town.

Set off on an exploratory journey with the Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour, a pivotal part of the renowned Bourbon Town Tours. In the heart of a region celebrated for its distilling legacy, Buffalo Trace Distillery offers an immersive experience into the world of bourbon and spirits. Ideal for both connoisseurs and curious visitors, this tour provides a comprehensive look into the art of distilling, showcasing time-honored traditions and modern innovations.

Discover with Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour

Buffalo Trace Distillery, with its rich history and esteemed reputation, is a landmark in the spirits industry. The tour commences with an enlightening backstory of the distillery’s origins, its evolution through the years, and its commitment to excellence in bourbon making. This introduction provides context and depth to the tour, illustrating the distillery’s significant role in shaping the bourbon industry.

Journey Through the Art of Distillation

Visitors on the Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour are guided through the intricate process of bourbon making. From grain selection and milling to fermentation, distillation, aging, and bottling, each step is detailed thoroughly. The tour is interactive and educational, giving guests a firsthand look at the meticulous care and expertise that goes into each bottle of Buffalo Trace bourbon.

Tasting Sessions: Exploring Rich Flavors

A key feature of the tour is the tasting session, where guests sample a range of Buffalo Trace’s finest bourbons and spirits. These sessions, conducted by knowledgeable guides, delve into the diverse flavor profiles of each bourbon, highlighting the unique characteristics that make Buffalo Trace’s products stand out in the world of spirits.

Buffalo Trace Distillery’s Impact on the Community

The tour also focuses on the distillery’s contributions to the local community and the spirits industry. Buffalo Trace Distillery is not just a producer of fine bourbons; it is a steward of bourbon culture, actively involved in preserving and promoting the heritage of bourbon making in Bourbon Town and beyond.

An Inclusive Experience for All

The Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour is crafted to cater to a wide range of interests and knowledge levels. Whether you are a bourbon enthusiast or new to the world of spirits, the tour offers an engaging and informative experience. The welcoming environment ensures that every visitor, regardless of their background, enjoys a memorable and insightful visit.

Educational Aspects of the Tour

The tour extends beyond bourbon tasting, offering valuable insights into the broader context of the spirits industry. Participants learn about the historical evolution of bourbon, the nuances of different types of spirits, and current trends in distilling. This educational aspect provides a more complete understanding of the craft of bourbon making.

Sustainability Initiatives at Buffalo Trace Distillery

Sustainability is a key theme at Buffalo Trace Distillery, as highlighted during the tour. The distillery’s commitment to using sustainable practices, including environmental stewardship and resource conservation, demonstrates its dedication to responsible production and care for the environment.

Special Events and Limited Edition Releases

Buffalo Trace Distillery is known for its array of special events and limited-edition bourbon releases. During the tour, visitors receive information about these exclusive opportunities, inviting them to engage further with the distillery and the dynamic bourbon community.

A Must-Do on Bourbon Town Tours

The Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour is an enlightening and enjoyable experience for anyone interested in the art of bourbon making and the history of spirits. As a key component of Bourbon Town Tours, it’s a must-visit for anyone seeking to delve into the rich world of bourbon and spirits.

Are you ready to uncover the secrets of bourbon making? Book your Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour today and join us for an enriching journey into the heart of bourbon country. Connect with fellow bourbon lovers, learn about the intricate process of distilling, and experience the best of Bourbon Town’s bourbon culture. Sign up now for an unforgettable adventure at Buffalo Trace Distillery!

Why BourbonTown Tours Is The Perfect Choice?

Pocket-friendly adventures.

Embark on an unforgettable journey without burning a hole in your pocket.

Off-the-Beaten-Path Experiences

Discover hidden gems and lesser-known spots that only we can guide you to.

Passionate & Knowledgeable Team

With our expert crew, each tour goes beyond sightseeing.

Ancient Age KY Straight Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Benchmark Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Colonel E. H. Taylor Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

O.F.C Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Old Charter KY Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Old Rip Van Winkle Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Pappy Van Winkle 12 Year Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Double Eagle Very Rare Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Eagle Rare 10 Year Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Eagle Rare 17 Year Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

George T. Stagg KY Straight Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Rye Whiskey – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Sazerac Rye 18 Year – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Sazerac Rye Whiskey – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Weller 12 Year Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Weller Antique 107 Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Weller Special Reserve Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Wheatley Vodka – Buffalo Trace Distillery

William Larue Weller KY Straight Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Vacation starts with our tours around kentucky, enjoy amazing tours along the kentucky bourbon trail with a great team of expert guides..

• 1-844-BOURBON / 844-268-7266
• [email protected]
• Louisville, Kentucky

Bourbon Reviews, Distillery News and Information

Bourbon Obsessed℠

Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour

• October 10, 2023
• Distilleries , Distillery Reviews

113 Great Buffalo Trace Frankfort, KY 40601 Tours/Tastings: 800-654-8471 Gift Shop: 800-654-8471 or 502-696-5926 www.buffalotracedistillery.com Tour/Review

Please enjoy our Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour review!

Buffalo Trace Distillery Is A Great Place To Visit

Among distilleries anywhere, Buffalo Trace is top notch, and we’ll tell you just a few of the reasons why.  First, Buffalo Trace Distillery is a National Historic Landmark. Designated in 2013, the grounds are beautifully groomed and the historic buildings transport the visitor to another time. Second, tours are free.  Yes, all six currently offered tours and tastings are free of charge.  Third, the different types of tours available are impressive. Whether you want a general overview of the distillery, a behind the scenes look at the distilling operations or a walk through the Arboretum, Botanical Gardens and Bird Sanctuary, there’s a tour for you. We have taken many of the different tours over the years, and they are all very educational and enjoyable.

A Recent Expansion

Buffalo Trace recently underwent a massive expansion of both their distillery and the visitor center. The new visitor center is LARGE. It features the Buffalo Trace Distillery Gift Shop, as well as portrait displays which are utilized during the tours. In addition, there are now multiple tasting rooms and tasting bars, as well as expanded seating. Even with this expansion, the number of people wanting to visit still exceeds capacity.

The Trace Tour at Buffalo Trace Distillery

On our first visit back in 2019, we chose The Trace Tour, which at the time, was the only tour that did not require reservations. Reservations are now required for all tours at this point, as Buffalo Trace Distillery has become a very popular destination. Importantly, The Trace Tour is the only tour that is open to all ages. All of the other tours are not available for children under 12 years of age. As of October 2023, the Trace Tour runs at least hourly, Monday-Saturday 9AM-5PM and Sunday 11AM-5PM.  Based on visitor flow, tours may run more frequently during the hour.  For example, the day we toured, the Trace Tour was being offered every 20-30 minutes, but your results may vary.  This tour is a great option to get a nice overview of the Distillery and to sample some of Buffalo Trace’s products.

Book Your Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour Well In Advance

Booking tours at Buffalo Trace Distillery is now a streamlined process, but it does take advanced planning. Tours are booked online at buffalotracedistillery.com , with dates released weekly, on Wednesdays at 10AM Eastern. Buffalo Trace releases dates up to 8 weeks in the future, so it behooves you to plan well in advance of your anticipated visit. They even post on their website the exact date and time when booking for specific dates will open up. Finally, a waitlist tool is also available if your dates of choice are already full.

Parking At Buffalo Trace Distillery

Parking is easy at Buffalo Trace distillery.  The paved lot is large, and the ample signage directing the way, makes it quick, too.  Motorcycle parking is available as well. The parking lot allows easy access to the visitor center. But first, after parking but before entering the distillery grounds and the visitor center proper, all visitors must check in the building at the end of the parking lot. Don’t forget to bring your ID!

Our Tour Begins

While the details may have changed a bit over the years, the general flow is similar. The order and choice of stops may very a bit, with some tours visiting more of the working distillery. Now a days, tours start from the visitor center and can either head directly back into the distillery or out onto the campus. Upstairs in the Visitor Center are multiple portraits of the men who shaped what would become the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Your tour may start discussing the distillery’s history, as you move from portrait to portrait. We have also had tours begin outside.

Our First Buffalo Trace Tour

On our initial The Trace Tour, after a brief introduction by our tour guide, we first headed to the nearby Free House where we saw an interesting video on the history of the Buffalo Trace Distillery. After the video, our guide explained the basics of aging the bourbon and was aided by a nifty display which included 4 barrels of bourbon with see through barrel heads. Each barrel was at a different stage in the aging process:  one at entry level, the next at 4 years, then 9 years, and finally 18 years.  All 4 barrels had a different level and color of bourbon.  It was a great visual aid for the explanation of the changes that take place during aging, including the yearly loss of bourbon due to evaporation (known as the “angels’ share”).

Buffalo Trace Distillery Warehouse C

Our next stop brought us to the very large Warehouse C. Warehouse C is a very old warehouse on the property. It was built by Colonel E.H. Taylor back in 1885 and has been the aging location for many fine whiskeys. In fact, two are highlighted in the E.H. Taylor Bourbon family – the Warehouse C and Tornado Surviving Bourbons. We walked in and immediately the sweet smell of the 24,000 barrels of aging bourbon whiskey overwhelmed our senses.  Here we learned about how Buffalo Trace warehouses and ages their products.

Time To Bottle The Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon

The Albert B. Blanton Bottling Hall was our final dabble into the world of the Buffalo Trace Distillery. While Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon is famously aged in Col. Blanton’s favorite Warehouse H, it is all bottled here. This tiny building is an active bottling facility for Blanton’s Bourbon and amazingly, it is all done by hand.  It was fun and surprising to see how many steps are required for the finished bottle.

Back To The Buffalo Trace Distillery Visitor Center

The Trace Tour, like most distillery tours, ends where it began, back at the visitor center.  This time we headed to the second floor for our tasting.  Five products were available for tasting.  They included the White Dog, Wheatley Vodka, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare Bourbon, Bourbon Cream, and of course, a bourbon ball.  Our tour and tasting lasted approximately one hour, although today’s The Trace Tour has a duration of 75 minutes. Overall, we really enjoyed our time at Buffalo Trace Distillery, and have returned many times since to take advantage of the other available tours. A visit is highly recommended; just don’t forget to plan well in advance! Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour review! Would you like to learn about a couple of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s Bourbons? Check out our Buffalo Trace Bourbon Review and Blanton’s Bourbon Review !

Please note that Distillery Hours and Tour/Tasting Availability may vary. Please contact the distillery or check their web page or social media for details before you go.

Updated: October 10, 2023

Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us?? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!

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THE TRACE TOUR

About the tour.

This 4 hour experience is offered as a package tour with Buffalo Trace Distillery. Have you had trouble getting a tour booked at Buffalo Trace? Well, this experience is a tour on the Kentucky River and a tour of Buffalo Trace Distillery. This tour operates on Mondays and starts with a tour at the historic and famous Buffalo Trace Distillery. Home to some of the finest bourbon produced, you will learn and see how bourbon is made, aged and bottled.

After your distillery tour and time in the gift shop, you will head to the river that built bourbon, the Kentucky River, where you will enjoy a 1.5-hour river cruise. During your time on the water we will complete the story of bourbon that was began at the distillery and enjoy some great sites along the way.

Reservations are REQUIRED!

Available Monday

Cost $59.95 per person

701 Wilkinson Blvd, Frankfort, KY 40601

(502) 219-3318

[email protected]

TOURS OFFERED

• Bourbon Themed Tour
• Historic River Tours
• Kentucky River Tour 
• Bourbon Tour
• River Boat Tours
• Buffalo Trace Tours
• Bourbon Trail Tours
• Bourbon Distillery Tour

| Kentucky River Tours | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Website by Creekmore Marketing

Buffalo Trace Distillery

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Buffalo Trace Distillery - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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A New Buffalo Trace Visitor Experience

by Don Williams | Jul 31, 2020 | Bourbon News , Bourbon Travel , Distilleries

The recent expansion resulted in a new Buffalo Trace visitor experience. All of the changes are positive and will make a great visit even better. I will highlight the differences first and then outline the Covid-19 procedures at the end of this article.

What has changed?

The old entrance to the gift shop is now the entry to sign in for distillery tours. It is a more comfortable and less crowded process to register for a tour. It was a real bonus to chat with the consummate tour guide and friend Freddie Johnson before our expansion tour began. Everyone should have the opportunity to meet and experience a tour with Freddie.

Entering the expanded gift shop and retail area is around the corner from the distillery tour entrance. The first thing you will notice about the re-purposed production facility is the glass doors that were were the original loading dock doors. From here, you will enter an expanded space that features all of the retail items for sale, including available bottles of Buffalo Trace spirits along with Freddie’s Root Beer.

The expanded retail area is much larger than before, with two separate areas to check out. For anyone who remembers the smaller retail space, this will be a much more pleasurable experience than before. Everything from tee-shirts to signs to books is on display with ample room to walk around.

Private tasting rooms

For anyone that experienced the noise and crowded areas while experiencing a tasting at Buffalo Trace previously, you will love the new private tasting rooms. On the second floor above the retail shop is a series of private tasting rooms. The privacy makes for a much more intimate and enjoyable tasting. Tasting rooms are located next to the new Giants of Bourbon Hall.  The hall is an event space that is available to rent after hours.

Buffalo Trace Distillery has always been a must-visit for anyone that enjoys everything bourbon has to offer. Great products, historical significance, and friendly people. The newly expanded visitor center has created a new Buffalo Trace experience.

COVID 19 Safety Rules at Buffalo Trace

Once you park your car, you are directed to a building to be temperature checked. You will then receive a wristband verifying the test.  You are required to wear a mask on the premises. Masks can be removed during your tasting. From time to time, it was a strain to hear questions asked during the tour, but otherwise, it was not uncomfortable. Shelley was our capable guide and graciously led us through the expansion tour.

There are limitations to the number of people allowed in the retail area. If the area is at capacity, you wait at designated spots outside until space is available.  There is one way to enter, and one way to exit the area.  Always remember that during this new normal that you should sign up for tours online ahead of time. Tour groups are smaller, and you do not want to miss out.

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Bourbon Fun During A Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour

By Author Daryl and Mindi Hirsch

Check out our experience taking a Buffalo Trace distillery tour and see what we ate for lunch after our fun tour of the famous Frankfort Kentucky distillery.

Imagine our surprise when we made a stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail for our Buffalo Trace distillery tour in Frankfort and met our tour guide from … wait for it … Philadelphia .

With a southern drawl and a warm, welcoming smile, the tour guide seemed every bit like a local at first glance. We totally assumed that he was born and bred in Kentucky until he shared the news that not only was he from Philadelphia but also that he had once lived just five blocks from the house that we left behind when we answered the call to travel .

Buffalo Trace Distillery

Located just 660 miles from Philadelphia, Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort feels like another world. Instead of the high rises and parking lots that define the Philadelphia landscape, horse farms and distilleries dot the grassy landscape of Frankfort’s rolling green hills.

Originally called the O.F.C. Distillery and later the George T. Stagg Distillery, Buffalo Trace makes many bourbons beyond its signature Buffalo Trace whiskey including cult favorite Pappy Van Winkle and Blanton’s.

Inspired by wild buffalo that once roamed freely along the Kentucky River on passes called traces, parent Sazerac Company renamed the company to Buffalo Trace in 1999. The parent company is currently spending $1.2 billion to expand the distillery’s campus.

Discover our favorite bourbon cocktails .

Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour

We know how we got to Buffalo Trace from Philadelphia – a simple detour from Cincinnati to Nashville during our epic road trip. After visiting Graeter’s , the country’s greatest ice cream company, it was a no-brainer for us to visit Buffalo Trace, arguably the country’s greatest bourbon distiller.

But how did tour guide Fred Mozenter get to Buffalo Trace from Philadelphia? It’s not exactly a normal path to move from Philadelphia to Frankfort. And how did he end up with a coveted job working at the distillery where he traded his Philly accent for a southern drawl?

It turns out that Mozenter worked for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) as a store manager for 34 years before taking an early retirement package. Upon retiring, he decided to pursue his true passion – bourbon.

That passion led him to Kentucky and his second career at Buffalo Trace. Hired because he could “make bourbon fun”, Mozenter has been giving tours at Buffalo Trace since he moved south to Frankfort with no end in sight.

History And Fun

During the Buffalo Trace Bourbon tour, Mozenter educated us about the company’s storied history which dates back hundreds of years and survived prohibition.

The oldest continuing operating distillery, Buffalo Trace distributed bourbon for “medicinal purposes” during prohibition. Today, the distillery displays memorabilia from its history including site maps and pictures detailing the long, eventful past.

The Buffalo Trace Hard Hat Tour shows Buffalo Trace Bourbon in its various stages as it transforms from corn mash to liquid gold.

Starting with the cookhouse and the huge fermentation vats, the tour is hands-on – literally. During the tour, participants get to taste fermenting mash and wash their hands with freshly distilled bourbon, activities that let all five senses experience the distilling process.

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Tasting

“All bourbons are whiskey but not all whiskeys are bourbons.”

We learned that 95% of all bourbon is distilled in Kentucky and the state’s limestone water gives bourbon its distinct flavor. We also learned that the remaining 5% is made elsewhere in the United States , but the taste is not the same without Kentucky’s limestone water.

At the end of the tour, we tasted four different Buffalo Trace brands distilled at Buffalo Trace including Clix vodka and decadently rich bourbon cream . As an unexpected treat, we indulged in Buffalo Trace Bourbon chocolates made by a local chocolatier, Rebecca Ruth Candy Factory. All of these products and more are available at the distillery’s onsite Buffalo Trace gift shop.

We will long remember Buffalo Trace’s distillery tour, especially when we drink Buffalo Trace bourbon. We will especially remember the tour guide, Fred Mozenter.

Just like his getting the job at Buffalo Trace, us meeting him was “meant to be.” Hearing his story validated our decision to follow our dreams of traveling and tasting the world.

Buffalo Trace Distillery is located at 113 Great Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, KY 40601, United States.

Lunch in Frankfort

Since man cannot live on bourbon and chocolate alone, you should follow your distillery tour with lunch at one of the many restaurants near Buffalo Trace Distillery. If you like unique American sandwiches , be sure to order a Kentucky Hot Brown.

After our tour, we followed these instructions and ate a Grilled Kentucky Hot Brown at Gibby’s in downtown Frankfort. Located just two miles from the distillery, Gibby’s is a local institution and a perfect spot for a post-bourbon tour lunch.

Gibby’s is located at 204 W Broadway St, Frankfort, KY 40601, United States.

Schedule A Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour

Buffalo Trace tours are complimentary but must be reserved in advance.

We took the Hard Hat tour which we highly recommend. You can make free reservations but, as noted, you must book it in advance. If this free tour isn’t available, consider booking the Trace tour, the Old Taylor tour, the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens Tour or the National Historic Landmark Tour.

All tours include bourbon tastings. Hooray!

And, if you have extra time, be sure to check out the best places to drink in Louisville which is just a one-hour drive from the Buffalo Trace Distillery.

Buffalo Trace Planning Checklist

• Buy discounted travel insurance from Heymondo .
• Find a great Frankfort hotel via Booking.com , Expedia or Hotels.com .
• Find an apartment in Frankfort with a kitchen .
• Buy a  universal travel adaptor  from Amazon so you can charge your laptop, cell phone and camera the USA.
• Buy a copy of Kentucky Bourbon Country: The Essential Travel Guide from Amazon.
• Arrange a rental car for your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Buffalo Trace distillery is located at 113 Great Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, Kentucky.

No. Buffalo Trace is not on the Bourbon Trail. This is because the distillery is not part of the Kentucky Distillers Association.

Buffalo Trace distillery tours are free.

Buffalo Traces offers seven different tours of its distillery. Check each tour’s details to confirm its length.

You can make reservations via the Buffalo Trace website.

Thirsty For Unique Bourbon Cocktails?

About the Authors

Daryl and Mindi Hirsch

Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website. Since launching the site in 2012, they’ve traveled to over 40 countries in their quest to bring readers a unique taste of the world.

Knife Steakhouse Hosts Distillery Tours To Showcase Local Spirits

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This Spring, Knife Steakhouse in Plano, Texas is inviting guests to embark on a unique whiskey experience with their new Distillery Tours, showcasing spirits from a different distillery each month.

For the entire month of April, whiskey lovers can indulge in A Tour of Buffalo Trace Distillery for just $40. Guests can select three whiskies from Buffalo Trace's premium collection and enjoy a one-ounce pour of each to compare and savor the distinct flavors. 

Buffalo Trace's premium collection includes:  

• Blanton's Single Barrel
• Hancock's President's Reserve
• Eagle Rare 10 Year
• E.H. Taylor Single Barrel 
• Stagg Single Barrel 
• Weller 12 Year

For more information, or to make a reservation, visit  knifeplano.com . 

If whiskey isn't your thing, Knife's full bar offers specialty cocktails, modern takes on classic cocktails and many beers. Knife also has a 300+ label wine list with a Sommelier on staff nightly to assist guests in finding the exact wine to complement their meal.

The cuisine at Knife melds classic and modern steakhouse dishes featuring all-natural born and raised Texas beef, pork and lamb in dry-aged prime cuts prepared in cast irons and customary steakhouse broilers, as well as specialty cuts such as flat iron, Waygu skirt steak, tri-tip, culotte, beef cheeks, pork belly, oxtail, pigs head and exotic Akaushi beef.

Knife Steakhouse Plano is located at 6121 W Park Blvd RS9, Plano, TX.

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